JPH06187118A - Window system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To switch an active window with a pointer even when the arbitrary number of windows in the same size are completely overlapped and arranged by applying the tag of a newly generated window from a window manager means to each window so that the tags of respective windows does not be completely overlapped. CONSTITUTION:When an (n+1)th window is newly generated, the window manager obtains the information of coordinates of window tags 1-3 of 1st-nth windows from a body structure for window management. Then, the coordinate of a window tag 4 is set to the newly generated (n+1)th window so that all the window tags 1-3 of the 1st-nth windows does not be completely overlapped to the area occupied on the display of a computer and the window tags 1-3 of the 1st-nth windows does not be completely hidden by the total sum of the areas occupied on the display of the computer.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a window system capable of displaying a plurality of software on the screen of a display device of a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A window system in a computer is used in a computer system such as a personal computer or a workstation to enable one display device to correspond to the multitasking or semimultitasking system of the computer system. A system, which displays a screen of one display device by dividing it into multiple screens, or displays multiple windows in the screen of one display device, and displays such a divided screen. By displaying multiple states of software being executed or software being stopped in a window or window, it is possible to display a plurality of software with a single display device. . This window system is often realized by application software running on a computer or dedicated software incorporated in an operating system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an active window switching system in a conventional window system. The active window is the one currently running the software displayed therein. In the figure, reference numerals 5 to 8 denote four windows generated on the display 10 of the computer and generated by the operation of the mouse or the like. Reference numeral 9 indicates a pointer whose position can be changed by operating a mouse or the like.

Such a window is generated by, for example, moving the mouse while holding down the mouse button to specify the range, and moving the pointer to the title display portions 5a to 8a at the upper part of the windows 5 to 8. By continuously pressing the mouse button a predetermined number of times or the like, the window can be made active, that is, the software displayed therein can be made to run.

Generation, discarding, and management of such windows are managed by software called a window manager. There are window managers provided on the operating system side and those provided on the application software side. That is, in any case, windows are created, destroyed, and managed by the window manager on the computer.

The management by the window manager specifically means holding a pointer to a window structure generated by the window manager, and referring to this pointer, a member of the window structure, that is, the size of the window and the window. Along with changing the coordinate value of the recto angle (rectangle) occupied by, and changing the context of the window, the window manager redraws the window on the computer display along with this change. It is to do.

That is, the window manager is the entity of the window on the memory of the computer, and has the window structure WindowS which has the position information, size, position of the window tag, etc. of the window as its members.
truc, the number of all generated windows
It manages a window management structure Windows having Num as a member. A structure is a data type of 1 in the so-called C language that can handle an aggregate of a plurality of data as one data.
It is a seed.

Next, the operation of the window manager in the conventional window system will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step 11, the operation of the window manager is started. In the next step 12, a function for creating a window is called, and a pointer to the window structure created by the function is received from the function. Steps 13 and 14 are routines constituting step 12 for generating this window. In step 13, the memory for the window structure is allocated by the system call for generating the window to generate the window structure. Also, in step 14, the pointer to the window structure now allocated is called, and this is returned to the original step 12. The window is generated by the above steps.

Next, step 15 calls a routine 16 that calls a function that discards the created window. At this time, step 15 passes to the routine 16 a pointer to the window structure to be discarded. The routine 16 to which the pointer is passed releases the memory area occupied by the window structure indicated by the pointer by a system call, and returns to step 15. The window is discarded as described above.

The conventional window system is configured as described above. In this type of window system, it is desired to switch the active windows by arranging the windows so that they do not overlap each other, and activating them with a pointer. A method of switching a desired window by pointing the window is adopted.

[0011]

By the way, in the conventional window system as described above, when windows of the same size are arranged so as to completely overlap with each other, even if the pointer is moved to a position occupied by the windows, Only the uppermost windows that overlap each other can be specified, and in such a state, there is a problem that the active window cannot be switched by the pointer.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional ones, and even if an arbitrary number of windows of the same size are completely overlapped and arranged, the pointer It is an object of the present invention to provide a window system capable of switching an active window only by executing an operation for pointing a window to be activated.

[0013]

A window system according to the present invention includes a window tag which is a sticky note for a window in a window structure which holds the position of the window which is the entity of the window, the front and rear relationship with other windows, and the like. A window tag member, which is information for creating a file, is added, and a new window manager means for creating, discarding, and managing windows is newly created from the tag member information of the window structure of the existing window. By deciding the position and size of the window tag so that it does not overlap with the existing window tag, even if multiple windows of the same size are placed at exactly the same position, the mouse Pointer operation by mouse operation such as moving By accessing the window tag are those which make it possible to switch the active window.

[0014]

In the present invention, the window manager means gives a tag of a newly created window to each window so that the tags of each window do not completely overlap each other, so that an arbitrary number of windows of the same size can be provided. Even if the windows are placed so that they overlap each other, the tags for each window do not overlap, and it is easy to switch the active window simply by executing the operation with the pointer that specifies the tag for the window you want to switch. And

[0015]

【Example】

Example 1. An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a window tag in a window system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 to 4 are sticky notes added to the windows 5 to 8 by the window manager, and also show window tags added dynamically, that is, so as to occupy positions that do not overlap each other. Reference numerals 5 to 8 denote windows displayed on the computer display, and 9 denotes a pointer whose position can be changed by operating a mouse, which is a kind of pointing device.

On a computer, windows are created, destroyed, and managed by a window manager. That is, the window manager is the entity of the window in the memory of the computer, and has a window structure WindowStr having members such as window position information, size, and window tag position.
oct, a pointer to the window structure WindowP
tr, and a window list WindowList that is an array of pointers to all generated window structures
t [], the number of all generated windows WindowNu
Window management structure W that has m as a member
Manages windows etc. The structure is one type of data type that can handle an aggregate of a plurality of data as one data in the so-called C language.

Assuming that n windows (n is a positive integer) have been created on this computer in the initial state, there are n window structures and the window list of the members of the window management structure. N in the array
One pointer to each window structure is stored, and this n is stored in the variable WindowNum indicating the number of all windows.

In this state, if a window of the n + 1th window is newly generated, the window manager in this embodiment operates as follows. First, the memory for storing the window structure is acquired, the window structure of the newly created window is created in the memory area, each member is initialized, and the pointer to the window structure is changed.

Next, Wi, which is a member of the window management structure and indicates the number of windows currently generated
Increment "nowNum" by "1" to be n + 1. Further, the pointer to the n + 1-th window that has been generated is stored in WindowList [n], which is the n + 1-th component of the window list array.

Here, the window manager adds the window tag of this embodiment to the newly generated n + 1th window. That is, the window manager is a member of the window management structure WindowNu.
The information of the window tag coordinates of the 1st to nth windows is obtained from m and the WindowList array, and 1 to n are obtained for the newly created n + 1th window.
Make sure that none of the window tags of the second window completely occupy the area occupied by the computer display, and that the window tags of the 1st to nth windows are completely shaded by the total area occupied by the computer display. Window tag-left, windowTag of the window tag of the member of the n + 1th window structure so that there is no left, top, right, or bottom coordinates.
-Top, WindowsTag-right, Windows
Set integer coordinates in wTag-bottom.

For example, in the case of FIG. 1, it is assumed that windows 5 to 7 have already been created and window 8 is a newly created window. At this time, the window manager generates the window tag 4 for the newly generated window 8 on the right side of the already existing window tag 3, thereby making the window tags 1 to 3 of the first to third windows 5 to 7 3 does not completely overlap any of the areas occupied on the computer display, and the window tags 1 to 3 of the first to third windows 5 to 7 are completely added to the total area occupied on the computer display. Generate this so that it cannot be hidden.

If the tag of the window just generated is hidden under the 1st to nth windows and the window tag, the window manager pays attention only to the x direction or the y direction of the window tag. , Set the window coordinates of the window just created so that the tags do not overlap each other.

As described above, the window tag of the newly generated window is generated so that it does not overlap with the window tag of the window that originally existed. Even if a number of windows are opened at the same coordinate at the same time, the tags do not overlap with each other, so it is impossible to execute them by only specifying one of the tags with the pointer. It is possible to switch the active window.

The operation of the above window manager will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First,
Step 21 starts the operation of the window manager. The next step 22 calls a function that creates a window and receives from it a pointer to the window structure that the function created. Steps 23-3
Reference numeral 2 is a routine which constitutes this step 22, and step 23 is constituted by a routine which comprises steps 24 and 25. Also, step 28 is step 29,
It is composed of a routine of 30.

Next, in step 23, the window creating routine 24 is called to receive the pointer to the created window structure. Step 24 is called step 23 and creates a window structure by allocating memory for the window structure by a system call. Step 25 now calls a pointer to the allocated window structure and returns to the original step 23. By the above steps, a window similar to the conventional one is generated.

The following steps are performed to generate a window tag. That is, step 26
Check whether or not there is another window already generated, and if another window is already generated, jump to step 28, and if no other window is generated, jump to step 27. Now, assuming that a window has already been generated, the process branches to step 28 due to the conditional branch of step 26. In step 28, a routine 29 for determining the left coordinate of the rectangle (rectangle) occupied by the window tag is called, and the left coordinate of the window tag is received from that function.

In step 29, step 28 is called.
Members of the Windows structure: MaxWindowNumber (the number of windows that can be opened), WindowNum (the number of windows that are currently created), WindowList [MaxWind
owNumber] (a list of the window pointers of the currently generated windows), etc., and the coordinates of the recto angle occupied by the label of the currently existing window are referenced, and the window tag of the newly created window is
The coordinates of the left side of the window tag of the newly created window are determined so that they do not completely overlap the area occupied by the window tags of all existing windows (excluding newly created windows). In step 30, the left coordinate of the window tag just determined is returned to step 28. In the next step 31, the rect angle occupied by the window tag is determined from the window tag thus determined. Through the above steps, the coordinates of the rect angle occupied by the window tag are determined. In the next step 32, the pointer to the newly created window structure is returned to step 12.

Next, the case where no other window is generated in step 26 will be described. If no other window has been created in step 26, the process jumps to step 27. In this case, there are no other overlapping windows, so the default value is set for the coordinates of the rect angle of the window tag of the newly created window. Next, in step 32, a pointer to the window structure is returned to step 12. As described above, a new window is created so that the window tags do not completely overlap.

Next, at step 33, a pointer to the window structure to be discarded is passed to step 34. The routine 34 to which the pointer is passed releases the memory area occupied by the window structure indicated by the pointer by a system call, and returns to step 33. The window is discarded as described above. Step 35 indicates the end of operation of the window manager.

If the above operation is described in C language,
It looks like this: Note that the part sandwiched between “/ *” and “* /” is a so-called annotated part.

/ * Window structure definition * / typedef struct WindowStruct {/ * omitted * / int WindowRect right; int WindowRect top; int WindowRect left; int WindowRect bottom; / * omitted * / int TagRect right; int TagRect top; int TagRect left; int TagRect bottom; / * Omit * /} WindowStruct; / * Window pointer definition * / typedef WindowPtr * WindowStruct; / * Window management structure declaration * / struct Windows {/ * Omit * / int MaxWindowNumber; / * Opening Number of windows that can be created * / int WindowNum; / * Number of windows that are currently created * / WindowPtr * WindowList [MaxWindowNumber]; / * List of window pointers that are currently created * / / * Omitted * /} Windows; WindowList wlist; int Tag Hight = 30; int Tag Width = 70; WindowPtr MakeWindow (void); int Make Tagleft (void); main () {WindowPtr w; w = MakeWindow (void);} WindowPtr MakeWindow (void) {WindowPtr w; int Tag left; / * omitted * / w = SysCall Makewindow (); / * Window creation routine that returns a pointer to the same window structure as before * / Tag left = Make Tagleft (); / * Function that determines the left edge coordinate of Tag and returns it with intw, at which time each member of the Windows structure is set * / w-> TagRect right = Tag left; w-> TagRect top = w-> WindowRect top + Tag Hight; w-> TagRect left = w-> WindowRect right + Tag Width; w-> TagRect bottom = w-> WindowRect top; / * omitted * / return (w);} int Tag left = Make Tagleft (void); {int Tagleft; Tagleft = / * Calculation of Tag left edge coordinates (omitted) According to the above description, the window tags of all windows from Windows structure, WindowStruct structure, WindowPtr, etc. completely overlap. The left edge coordinate of the tag of the newly created window is determined so that there is no * / return (Tagleft);}

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the window manager that creates, discards, and manages windows does not overlap window tags that are accessible by a pointer to each window dynamically, that is, do not overlap each other. Since it is added to, even if you open any number of windows of the same size at the same coordinates at the same time,
The active window can be easily switched by simply specifying the tag corresponding to the desired window by operating the pointer with a mouse or the like.

In the above embodiment, one active window is shown, but it can be applied to a window system in which a plurality of windows can be active at the same time, and the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained. .

Further, in the above embodiment, the tag is added when a plurality of windows having the same size completely overlap each other. However, even when a plurality of windows are generated at positions displaced from each other, the tag is added to this. May be added, and the same effect as that of the above embodiment is obtained.

[0035]

As described above, according to the window system of the present invention, a window tag member, which is information for generating a window tag that is a sticky note for a window, is added to a window structure that is the entity of the window. The window manager means for adding, creating, discarding, and managing windows includes, on the basis of the information of the window tag members, window tags accessible to each window by a pointer moved by a pointing device. I added it so that it doesn't overlap each other.
The window tag of the newly created window can be displayed so that the window tag of the already created window does not completely overlap the window tag of the newly created window. By specifying the tag to be used, even if an arbitrary number of windows of the same size are opened at the same coordinates at the same time, it is possible to easily switch the active window only by operating the pointer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a window displayed on a computer display, a tag attached to the window, and a pointer according to a window system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing windows and pointers in a conventional window system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the window manager of the window system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of a window manager of a conventional window system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 window tag 2 window tag 3 window tag 4 window tag 5 window 6 window 7 window 8 window 9 pointer 21 start step 22 window generation step 23 window generation step 24 window structure generation step by system call 25 Step 26: Return a pointer to the window structure Step 26: Determine if another window is created 27 Step: Set the default value in the area occupied by the tag 28 Step 28: Determine the left edge coordinates of the tag 29 Step 30 of determining the left edge coordinates Step 30 of determining the left edge coordinates of the tag of the window that has just been determined 31 Step of setting the value of the area occupied by the tag 32 Step of returning the window pointer Step step 35 the end of the opening of the 3 window memory area occupied in step 34 the window structure disposal

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A window system in a computer, comprising window manager means for generating, discarding, and managing windows, and providing information for generating a window tag which is a sticky note for a window in a window structure which is the entity of the window. A window tag member is added, and the window manager means adds a window tag accessible by a pointer moved by a pointing device to each window for each window based on the information of the window tag member. A window system characterized by being added so that they do not overlap each other.